The slight awkwardness was strange given our closeness from the night before. That didn’t mean the electricity had faded. Quite the opposite. Around him, I felt as if I was floating on a cloud. Even if I knew at some point if would come crashingdown like a hot air balloon shot out of the sky. “You’re very sweet, Sasha.”
“No one has ever called me sweet before. You’re still coming to the party?”
His eagerness surprised me. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Good. I’ll keep it a secret until the last moment. Nina will be thrilled.”
“I’m glad. It’s been a very long time since I’ve played to a crowd less than about fifty thousand.”
“Oh, I assure you I couldn’t stand to have fifty thousand people on my property.”
The way he was looking at me was pure fire, a man ready to combust. Every inch of my skin tingled, my pussy throbbing. No other man had electrified me the way he’d done.
“Make no mistake. I want you safe, Lainey. I don’t know what you’ve heard about me, but I have the power to make that happen.”
“Why would you want to?”
His expression only intensified, the ebb and flow of darkness within him creating an aura of danger. “Because you managed to get under my skin. Very rare.”
The single admittance had a way of making me swoon. “Maybe I’m glad to hear you say that. However, I can’t avoid going back to Los Angeles forever. And… You have a corporation to run.”
He stared at me for a few seconds, perhaps weighing the validity of what I was saying. “Understood.”
Why did I have a feeling he wasn’t used to being told no?
“I’ll take you to your house when you’re ready.”
As strange as it seemed in my mind, the aching part of me wanted so much to say I’d never be ready, but I reminded myself I was the one shutting the door. It was best for both of us. Wewere two completely different people. “I’m ready to head back. Thank you for allowing me to wear your shirt.”
At least his eyes sparked as they’d done during our passion. “You look better in the jersey than I do.”
“I don’t know about that, but I did enjoy having your scent caressing my skin.” As soon as the words tripped from my mouth, I managed to press my hand against my lips before laughing. He seemed as surprised by what I’d said as I was in realizing I’d admitted how much he’d affected me.
“Well, then I guess you’ll need to keep it.”
“I’m glad you made the offer. I might have slipped the jersey into my purse.”
His laugh was so genuine, so entirely different than the darkness overshadowing him the night before. “Maybe I’ll have the opportunity to see you in it again.”
Mmm… The thought gave me shivers.
The awkwardness continued until he finally grabbed his keys. As with all delicious dreams or fantasies, they had to come to an end.
He nodded toward the door and I took his lead.
Once inside his car, I tried to think about what I could say to him. For all the songs I’d written in my life, all the melodies carrying me through every emotion, there were no words of phrases that came to mind.
Maybe I’d try to use music to entice the random thoughts about what we’d shared.
He knew where I lived, not needing a GPS or asking me any questions. It was obvious he’d arranged everything about my residency. I took some comfort in that, especially since the accommodations had been so elegant.
As soon as he pulled into the driveway, I felt an odd sense of loss. It was just one night. That was it and here I was pining away for something that could never be.
“Thank you for last night.”
“I don’t usually have women thanking me for sex.” I could tell he was trying to lighten the mood but seconds later, he scrubbed the stubble on his jaw. “I’m not very good with small talk, Lainey. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry. Another secret safe with me. And I was thanking you for protecting me. Only my father has done everything in his power to protect me. I’ll see you tomorrow at the party.”
